When talking about obesity, experts and armchair experts alike focus on the major diseases brought on by obesity and the surface issues of beauty and belonging. There’s a lot of discussion and information out there about diabetes, heart disease, and other issues related to obesity. But what about sexual health? Shouldn’t that conversation be happening, too? We think so. So, let’s talk about obesity, sexual health, and what people need to know.

Obesity and Sexual Health: What Are the Risk Factors?

Many men suffering from obesity may also find themselves dealing with a diagnosed medical sexual dysfunction or a psychological issue with having sex. That’s not to say that all obese men have these problems; however, obesity certainly raises their risk.

Sex Stoppers: Medical

Men who have diseases such as high cholesterol, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes often have difficulty maintaining an erection. In fact, men who have diabetes are 50 percent more likely to have erectile dysfunction (ED) than other men. Obesity contributes to excess narrowing and hardening of the blood flow, which makes it more difficult to swirl around a larger body and down to the penis with the vigor that causes the erection.

These diseases all contribute in some way to the prevention of either getting an erection or maintaining it. They damage the inner linings of the blood vessels of the penis, which then causes a restriction in blood flow due to lack of dilation.

Obesity can also happen as the result of, and also reduce, the amount of testosterone in the body (it’s the original double-edged sword here). Testosterone starts taking a dip in men between ages 40 and 50. Testosterone starts the whole erection problem off and without it, or with less of it, drive diminishes.

Finally, the inevitable cause: age. With age, sexual stamina decreases. The entire body ages, so it’s natural that a man who was used to producing an erection four times in one day in his 20s may only have the urge or ability three times a week in his 60s.

Sex Stoppers: Psychological

Often overlooked, psychological reasons can cause huge waves in a man’s sexual health. Of course, issues such as depression and anxiety can physically manifest as ED. However, there are much more nefarious effects than ED.

An obese man may be able to produce and maintain an erection without trouble, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he isn’t having sexual problems. Poor self-image is another reason an obese man may shy away from intimacy with a partner. Potential rejection, fear of another person’s unkind judgment, or a demoralizing sense of self can also lead an obese man to ignore his sexual health.

An Easy Reversal

Thankfully, research has shown that 95 percent of erectile dysfunction can be easily treated. First and foremost, a man must address the root cause of his problem, be that medical or mental. After that, he needs to take doctor recommendations and also make lifestyle changes.

Things such as adopting a healthy diet, brining more movement into each day, getting adequate sleep, and not smoking are all critical parts of reversing sexual dysfunction. Doctors also say that a weight reduction of as little as ten percent within a two-month period will vastly improve the issue.

Mental health interventions such as therapy and medication may also be part of a treatment plan.

While making these changes, give the penis a little extra care. Use an expressly formulated penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin) to strengthen and protect the penis. Look for crèmes that list L-carnitine as an ingredient, as it is a science-backed guardian against peripheral nerve damage. Find a cream with vitamins A and C to ward off bacteria that can result from sweating, and to boost collagen production while fighting against agents of premature aging.